Daily Times

The political and economic situation in Pakistan is at a crossroad. Due to instability in politics, the economy is suffering. A change of government brings sudden decline in the economy of the country. Generally, the masses are confused about who to vote for, because of the high rate of illiteracy, recent decisions by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Supreme Court (SC), and not being able to perceive national and international threats. Economic policies have always remained in the hands of a few technocrats and common men have never understood them.

Politicians no longer follow ethics on TV shows and public meetings. The language used by certain political leaders is disrespectful to the parliament and has become the order of the day in various rallies, sit-ins and public corner meetings. It’s disturbing to read or watch while sitting with one’s family.

The youth needs a change of atmosphere after a while and that’s why General Ziaul Haq used to organise hockey and cricket matches, and other various social activities to keep them busy from time to time.

It’s strange to note that anchors on TV are passing their comments on all topics. It’s an age of specialisation, yet everyone, even ex-military officers seem to pass comments on matters that are not even close to their area of expertise. It has become easy to publicise anything through paid advertisements.

No reforms, that could have helped the system develop, have been implemented. Both the military and civilian leadership failed in bringing change through visionary reforms. Our educational system is bringing changes in syllabus as per international standards, but our political leadership is not highly educated.

The recent suicide attack during a public corner meeting for the upcoming elections in Peshawar has exposed the security being provided to the candidates. It’s not humanly possible to provide security to each and every candidate round the clock in Pakistan. It’s the masses and political leadership who have to be collectively security conscious — but most have no knowledge of security.

The media is fully independent in the country and is trying to guide the public about security measures through messages, videos, and short clips. The electronic and printmedia are following their own policies and the general public has no clue. People of Pakistan are very simple and believe all that they hear without questioning its authenticity.

Economically, a poor country like Pakistan cannot afford democracy, as the representatives involved in the democratic process are also a burden on the economy.

The recent suicide attack during a public corner meeting for the upcoming elections in Peshawar has exposed the “security” being provided to the candidates

The political system has become a necessity and is must to survive in the world. Nawaz Sharif became the Prime Minister in a politically unstable Pakistan for a record of three times, but every time he was forced to quit in the middle of his term; Firstly, by the presidency, secondly, by the military, and lastly, by the judiciary.

All on-going development projects have come to a halt. Due to this one finds roads broken, sewerage work uncompleted, work on waterpipes abandoned midway, and hospital and educational construction work halted. What will be the priority of the forthcoming government? No one knows.

Therefore, the masses are confused. The current hot weather, impending flood threats, Hajj flights operation, political leadership facing courts, political workers in jail are all legally going on, but the intellectual level of a common man is not high enough to comprehend these issues so quickly. It’s just not possible to control an emotionally-driven mob, whether their reasons for protest are right or wrong aren’t relevant.

It’s good to see corrective actions being taken now to control corruption, to get looted wealth back, to bring back the culprits from abroad, to expose their misdeeds in open court and to highlight their misconduct through electronic and print media. But it should be ensured that this treatment is extended to all that deserve it.

Will there be a peace, correct reforms by strategic visionary reformers, and prosperity, self-reliance and external and internal threat free country located in a volatile geo-strategic location? All eyes are now on the outcome of next elections and it is hoped that new Government will tackle all maters well in future.

The writer is a PhD and former Economic and Commercial Analysist of UAE Embassy

Published in Daily Times, July 18^th 2018.